(Ecofin Agency) - Strengthening cybersecurity in Africa is becoming a top priority as cyber threats continue to rise. Countries across the continent must work together to protect critical infrastructure and support digital development, which is key to economic growth and regional stability.

Morocco is calling for closer collaboration among African nations to strengthen cybersecurity. Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate in charge of National Defense Administration, made this appeal at the African Cybersecurity Forum, which opened on February 3 in Rabat. The event brings together experts, leaders, and researchers to discuss the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing in protecting Africa’s cyberspace.

The minister emphasized that Morocco has already established numerous partnerships with African countries in various sectors and hopes to see these efforts expand at the continental level. Stronger cooperation, he argued, is crucial to improving resilience against cyber threats. He stressed the need for closer bilateral ties to safeguard sensitive data, secure digital financial transactions, and support governments in their digital transformation.

The urgency for collaboration is growing as cyber threats become more frequent. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the lack of preparedness in cybersecurity costs African nations an average of 10% of their GDP, amounting to nearly $4 billion annually due to cybercrime alone. A striking example occurred last November when hackers from Asia, known as "Waste," stole between $13 million and $17 million from the Bank of Uganda, exposing the vulnerability of African financial institutions.

Despite these challenges, progress is being made. Many African countries have invested in cybersecurity infrastructure and developed data protection ecosystems. However, regional cooperation remains essential to securing critical infrastructure and fostering a stable and secure digital environment across the continent.